A Garden to Dye For. Chris McLaughlin

82, 116; Melanie Shaw: page 94; Liz West: page 96; Susan Beals: page 99; Angela England: page 102; Lisa Steele: page 103; Christina Salwitz (The Personal Garden Coach): pages 120, 124; Janet Powell: page 121; Holly Rosborough: pages 2, 4, 5, 17, 83; Alupus: page 10; RhubarbFarmer: page 13; Quertzy2: page 104.

      All other photos by the author.

      Garden illustrations on pages 131-134 ©Jenny Nybro Peterson

      Printed in Canada

      On certified FSC recycled paper using soy-based inks

      This title and all of St. Lynn’s Press books may be purchased for educational, business or sales promotional use. For information please write:

      Special Markets Department . St. Lynn’s Press . POB 18680 . Pittsburgh, PA 15236

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       For all of my parents ~ both here on Earth and waiting in heaven.

      In loving memory of

       GAYNELLE MCLAUGHLIN

      1929 – 2014

       Table of Contents

       Introduction

       What this book is about . . . and what it isn’t. Hint: it’s not a dyer’s bible or a chemistry book.

       Some Key Words You’ll Come Across

       Official Endless-Shades-of-Color Disclaimer

       Chapter One ~ Another Good Reason for Your Plant Addiction

      Gardeners and the plants that love them; let’s talk colorfast, lightfast and fugitive; materials and textiles for natural dyeing; mordants and modifiers; finding and collecting color; wild foraging; starting a dye diary

       Chapter Two ~ Become an Alchemist with Color

      Unleash your inner chef; setting up your dyeing station; at-a-glance dye steps; cleaning your fiber and textiles; mordanting all fibers; DIY acorn mordant solution; DIY iron mordant solution; pH and the Great Black Bean Experiment; simple dyeing techniques: cold water, hot water, solar dyeing; very basic dyebath instruction: Marigolds; fiber and fabric aftercare

       Chapter Three ~ Color from Cottage & Cutting Gardens

      8 favorite flowering plants: plant profiles, dye colors and tips – plus 4 more dye-worthy plants to explore; resist dyeing: tie-dye and shibori; coffee and tea

       Chapter Four ~ Vibrant Vegetables & Fruits

      8 great plants for more than eating: plant profiles, dye colors and tips – plus 7 more edible plants to explore; Easter egg dyes; naturally dyed playdough; watercolor dye paints

       Chapter Five ~ Herbal Hues

      8 premier herbs for dyers (and pollinators): plant profiles, dye colors and dye tips – plus 8 more colorful herbs to explore; “nearly colorfast” pokeberry recipe; saturated silk recipe: Japanese indigo ice water bath; indigo dye vat recipe; saving seeds

       Chapter Six ~ Look to the Landscape

      8 trees and shrubs: plant profiles, dye colors and tips – plus 6 more color-laden plants to explore; silk eco-print scarf; 9 dye-source weeds and native plants

       Chapter Seven ~ Planning & Planting a Dye Garden

      Things to consider; 4 garden design plans: Formal Rose Dye Garden, Edible Dye Garden, Cutting Dye Garden, Mixed Dye Garden

       Index of Plants